Taylon Read online

  “That’s where Ra’na and Hambone were headed!” Fret said as the recognition of the familiar city’s name clicked in place. And without a second thought, Jesset, Fret, and Gantha took off in the direction of the market.

  Ynob watched them go before yelling out, “What about my books?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Nonk used the spyglass to look upon the vast market. He had climbed a huge tree to get a better view. It was a huge place, almost as large as the castle courtyard. Aladedas was not the typical military target; it was not a place that would easily fold under the weight of the human army.

  The march through the woods had been difficult. Not many trails or roads wound through the forest, so the large army carved their trail. Even though they were still a mile out from the market, this wouldn’t be a surprise attack.

  A few market goers stumbled upon the soldiers and were immediately slaughtered. Some creatures must have heard the approaching army and fled, or went to warn the merchants and patrons. Nonk really did not care either way. He was ready for battle.

  He took one more look before descending the tree.

  Nonk.

  What? He looked around searching for who called to him. Surely, none of the soldiers would call him by any name, other than captain. Nonk had made an example of a man last night who had disrespected him in that manner. The captain had hung his disembodied head from the first tree in the Territories for all the soldiers to see as they marched by.

  Nonk. Come.

  Again, the voice came. Was this some sort of trick? He checked in all directions, and whirled again looking like a dog chasing its tail. No one was in sight, except for a few soldiers about seventy feet away.

  Nonk! Your Queen commands you!

  He raised his hands to his head. The voice ripped through him, not loud but harsh, grating, tearing him from the inside out. It took him a moment to recover. Soldiers were coming to his position, concerned. He waved them away as he made a path to go find the queen.

  Euphoria’s carriage could not make it through the woods. She chose a large black mare to ride with her tigers out in front. Nonk found it tied to a nearby tree. The queen was looking distantly into the forest.

  Figaro growled, but let the captain pass.

  Captain Nonk, so good of you to come. Her voice sounded different. Beside her lay several piles of clothes and armor, none of them her own.

  “Your majesty?” He hoped his voice would be firm; instead, weakness threaded through his tone.

  There is a…presence nearby. Something powerful….

  “The market is only….”

  You fool! Much more powerful than some simpleton’s peddler’s market! Euphoria yelled. She turned toward him.

  Nonk held back a gasp, but shock was evident on his face.

  Euphoria smiled, the wrinkles becoming deeper. What? Am I not beautiful? She extended a hand as she approached the captain. Nonk took a step back, before holding his ground.

  “What…?” But he could not find the words to express his question. How do you ask your queen why she looks so old?

  I want that power. Attack the market. I believe the power will come. Every word made her face appear hideous, like that of the elderly, ravaged by disease. Nonk wanted to be away from her, free from the sight of her. But he knew his place, and knew the punishment she dealt for those stepping outside their bounds.

  “Yes, right away.” Nonk tripped over Daisy as he bid a hasty retreat. The tiger growled fiercely with an echoing roar from Figaro, but both tigers stayed n

  ear their mistress. Quickly, the captain got to his feet. For the first time in his life, Nonk could claim to have felt true fear.

  ***

  Da’Lynn fell back in the ranks as she felt a new presence. Something strong, powerful was in this land—and it was with the human army. At first she did not notice her essence fade, her skin become old. It wasn’t until a page commented, asking her what was wrong, did she realize. She quickly made a meal of the page, but her visage did not restore itself.

  Putting up her shawl, she did her best to camouflage the changes.

  She hungered for the power. It was nowhere near as intense as what was contained in the Palace of Nine, but it would definitely suffice until Da’Lynn was able to claim that magic.

  Katrena. She had been calling out as they came closer to the market, hoping the elf would return. Da’Lynn trusted no one else in this army. It would be too risky to bring someone else into the fold, tell them her true secret.

  “Madam Da’Lynn?”

  Shaking her head, the councilwoman came back to the moment. You have a report? Her voice changed too.

  “Yes…” The soldier hesitated, thrown off by the tone.

  Go on.

  “Um…the humans have begun attacking Aladedas. From what we can gather, it is their entire military force. Our main force will be there within fifteen minutes.”

  This was good. The humans were no match for the elf army. The destruction of Aladedas did not concern Da’Lynn. It could be rebuilt. She would have the power within the hour.

  Good. Make sure the archers set themselves high. When the humans learn we are there, they may try a counterstrike against us. The soldier’s face went blank and then masked with a horrified look. Her shawl had slipped to the side revealing her withered face.

  Da’Lynn sighed. Her hand shot forward grabbing the soldier by the throat. She lifted him off his horse while draining him. She tossed the corpse behind her before consuming it completely. The horse, free of its rider, continued following hers.

  She flexed her withered hand finding the strength in it remained. What was causing this? Was it the power she sensed? If so, it was indeed something that she wanted to possess.

  Before kicking her horse to join the main force, Da’Lynn adjusted her shawl, tying it this time to make sure she didn’t have another issue with anyone else, at least until they could join the battle.

  ***

  “This doesn’t look like it is the right way,” Kara said uneasily as she pushed aside a creepy looking vine. They had been walking west for some time, and the trail recently turned what she would label as spooky.

  Warren, of course, said nothing. He had not uttered a word since Kara forced him to leave his home. She did her best to draw up conversation with the brownie, but it was no use.

  Another few feet, a rotting skeleton lay off to the side of the path. Insects buzzed around it, and something else scurried off as they approached. Kara didn’t bother to inspect it once she saw it was an animal and not a person. Some of the hungry flies followed her for a few steps, zipping around her head.

  Kara looked down to see Warren reach out and snatch a fly from mid air. From his hand, it went to his mouth.

  Crunch!

  “Ewww.” She tried to hold back her disgust, not wanting to offend the little guy. “Sorry.”

  “There is a cottage coming up.” His tone was bland and showed no sign of insult.

  Peering along the trail, Kara saw nothing ahead but more creepy vegetation and trees. “I don’t see anything.”

  The brownie remained silent. He was busily picking his teeth.

  With a sigh, Kara continued forward. It only took her another fifty feet to see the house looming out of the woods. Her heart leapt with excitement, but as each step brought her closer, dread began to water down her hope.

  Like the forest that surrounded it, the house cast ominous tones. Something about it, and the surrounding trees, made Kara want to turn and run.

  “Is this where you were leading me?”

  Warren stared ahead, not giving the human an answer. This frustrated Kara to no end. She was going to tear into the brownie when her eye caught movement at the back of the house. Someone was there.

  She hunched and slowly crept forward, toward the side of the house. It was slow going as plants clung to her dress, and a vine tangled in her hair. Eventually, Kara made it to a tree where she could peek around and see some of the
backyard.

  There was no one.

  “Didn’t you see someone back there?” Kara whispered to Warren. “Ahh what’s the use, you aren’t going to answ—”

  “The elf is still there. And a human.” The words shocked Kara. She stared down at the brownie. Her mind raced with possibilities. Could it be Jesset and Ra’na? Or Gantha? She wanted to ask, but her eyes looked up as a dark elf came around the side of the house.

  “Ra’na…” In her excitement, Kara spoke but even as the word came out, she realized she was wrong, dreadfully wrong.

  Kara turned and sprinted, not caring about stealth. The elf had to have heard. She remembered to duck under the vine that had tangled her hair, but a thorn plant drew blood as it scraped her hand. It was all inconsequential as she made it to the trail.

  Oh how she wanted to look back, to see if someone followed and how close the dark elf was, but she knew better. Three steps on the path, and her legs suddenly bound together. Panic flooded her as she realized she was falling to the ground. Kara broke some of her fall, but her knee banged against a tree root.

  On the ground, Kara rolled to her back. A rope wrapped around her legs. She kicked and struggled, only loosening the rope slightly. A shadow fell over her.

  “Well, well. Looks like a day for meeting old acquaintances. Just the person I was looking for.” Katrena laughed as she grabbed Kara’s bound legs, and dragged her to the house.

  ***

  All hell broke loose. They had been in the market only about five minutes before the pandemonium. A kobold ran screaming past, letting everyone know the market was under attack. Most patrons watched the small creature with little interest. The panic didn’t start until the arrows dropped from the sky.

  Hambone pushed Ra’na aside as a dwarf crashed to the ground, impaled right before them. A few other arrows struck the roof of the stall over them. Ra’na wielded a dagger in each hand.

  “Where did those come from?”

  “I am always prepared,” Ra’na said, as she tracked the stampede of customers starting.

  Sprites, selling sparkling bottles of liquid, ran the booth in which they sought refuge. Several of the illuminated creatures were flying around erratically. One red sphere hovered right by Ra’na. It twittered.

  “Do you realize the market is under attack?” Ra’na addressed the blue glow.

  Hambone looked at her, puzzled. “Did I hear right? He is trying to sell you a sparklelite?”

  The blue sprite twittered in agreement. Both Ra’na and Hambone looked at each other.

  “Tell him if I can get a weapon, we will buy two lights.” Hambone said, turning his attention to the aisle. Another volley of arrows came through. One bugbear stood stunned, skewered through the back twice. It turned around; another arrow sunk itself in its eye.

  The noise was unbearable. Screams of alarm and outrage.

  “He says to run straight across. There is a gnoll that has some fine battleaxes. If the gnoll makes a fuss, tell him Roberto sent you.”

  “Roberto?”

  The sprite flew up to Hambone’s face and twittered loudly.

  “Okay. Okay.” The Dwarc held up his hands. He looked across and saw the stall. Quickly he dashed there, accidentally kicking a gnome in the process. On the wall of the booth, a beautiful double-edged battleaxe hung. Hambone took but a moment to admire it before he pulled it down.

  “Nine! Nine!” Furry arms grabbed the Dwarc’s.

  “Roberto sent me. It’s okay.” The gnoll was surprisingly strong.

  “Nine! Zis is mine! Not take!” There was a tug of war over the weapon.

  “Do you realize that the market is under attack? I need this.” Hambone pulled again, but was unable to dislodge the gnoll’s hands.

  “Pay! Pay me fer it! Then you have!” The gnoll pulled again, his grip was stronger than before. But suddenly an arrow penetrated the weak canvas ceiling. It stuck in the side of the gnoll’s neck, and his grip on the battleaxe loosened immediately.

  Hambone stumbled back a bit, suddenly in charge of the axe. He watched the gnoll, who first felt the arrow and then panicked. But the Dwarc didn’t have long to stare. Horse hooves sounded as three human soldiers galloped toward the biggest target in the aisle. Hambone.

  He felt the aura of fear as the horses charged down upon him. One soldier gripped his head suddenly, and fell back off his horse. The one in the lead twirled his sword, ready to strike. A blue blur shot in front of a soldier’s horse, spooking it. It veered sharply, throwing the rider forward into a booth.

  Having the moment to get his head straight, Hambone cocked back the heavy axe. The soldier saw his movement and was ready with a counter strike. As the horse neared, Hambone squatted and swung. The axe clipped the horse’s legs, severing one. Its rider’s attack missed Hambone completely. Panic flitted in the soldier’s eyes as he and his crippled horse crashed to the ground.

  In a deft move, Hambone was on his feet again. He glanced at the thrown soldier. Trolls that owned a nearby booth were currently beating the enemy. A few steps and Hambone was at Ra’na’s side. Roberto zipped back over.

  “Uh…thanks,” Hambone said to the sprite. Ra’na threw her other dagger suddenly. There was a scream amongst the chaos, and a human soldier fell to the ground. A flood of soldiers poured forward, taking their time to kill and destroy everything in their path.

  Roberto twittered and shot up into the sky. Ra’na and Hambone looked at each other, a knowing glance that said everything. The blue sprite was back in a moment, speaking rapidly.

  “Elfin army?” Ra’na’s eyes grew wide at the news. Maybe there was hope for Aladedas after all.

  “But who’s leading the army? The council was killed,” Hambone said to no one in particular. Someone crashed into a nearby booth causing him to turn and draw up the axe.

  “We need to find someplace safe,” Ra’na yelled as the chaotic noise increased. Roberto chirped up, his blue light flashing. Taking a chance, the two followed the sprite as it wove a path through the market. Every aisle appeared to have the same amount of chaos. Hambone tripped over a dead satyr, while Ra’na avoided a flaming gnome. A fire pit overturned in one of the food booths. The canvas sides of the booth quickly caught, and there was a medium-sized fire creating its own brand of panic.

  Roberto was quick, and there were a few times they lost sight of the sprite. Where was he taking them? They hadn’t seen a human since they started this retreat, but Hambone wasn’t stopping to scout around.

  Finally, Roberto came to the edge of the forest. Neither human nor elf soldiers were visible. Patrons and merchants ran by, doing their best to stay alive. There was still screaming, yelling, and crying behind them. Smoke filled the air, smelling of burnt things.

  “I sure hope Snow wasn’t in there.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Taylon awoke to the sounds of screaming. His hands tied above him and his feet bound below, barely touching the floor. It took the ex-captain a moment to realize his predicament.

  AHHHH!

  The yell came again, close by. It was a female cry of terror. Taylon thrashed in his bonds like a fish on a line, but it did no good. Pain pinched his wounded leg. Through all the confusion, his training kicked in. Check out your surroundings.

  Strange lights decorated the walls. Each had a soft glow yet looking at it made Taylon’s heart feel sad. Before him lay what looked like a room, somewhere the homeowner could rest and relax. A table and several plush chairs were not more than ten feet in front of him. But on closer inspection, the thought of comfort disappeared. Bone made up the framework of each seat.

  AHHH!

  Taylon’s attention snapped in the direction of the scream. A wall blocked his view of the vocalist. He wanted to yell out, but instinct kept him silent. A wave of nausea passed over him. Once his body calmed, Taylon struggled against his bonds again.

  “Can you stop that?” a voice said above him. He did his best to look up, but he only saw the roof. Taylon twiste
d and tried to get up, but to no avail.

  “Who?” It was easier to whisper one word than a whole statement. There was no answer at first and he was going to try again.

  “I’ll free you, but you must help my friend.” The voice was bland and had no emotion. It was a bit suspect considering the situation, but Taylon wasn’t about to question freedom.

  As he felt the tension in his arms loosen, something occurred to him. “Shouldn’t you free my feet first…?” The rope holding him up broke. His hands were free, but his feet couldn’t find balance and he was falling. Luckily, he fell toward the skeleton furniture. A plush chair broke his fall.

  AHHHH!

  This scream was longer and piercing, but it came just in time to cover Taylon’s noise as the chair toppled over. An animal horn or something from the chair’s framework stabbed his shoulder hard. He shoved his fist in his mouth to keep from crying out.

  Pushing the chair up, blood dripped from what looked like a razor-sharp claw. Taylon’s eyes stared at the unbelievable remains of some dead creature. Had it not been for the voice again, he would have stared at bone until he bled to death.

  “My friend needs your help.” The voice came from Taylon’s ear. Coming to his senses, the ex-captain pushed the chair to its upright position and got to his feet. The wound in his shoulder was not terrible, but would need some attention soon. The bindings around his feet fell away.

  Taylon looked down to thank whatever had released him. Below, stood a miniature man. In Taylon’s awe-struck state, due to the creature standing before him, it took yet another scream to shake him from his wonderment.

  AHHHHH!

  Quickly he searched his surroundings for a weapon. The claw on the furniture would have been great, but the chair held it tight. There was a table of candles and vials. He found a small knife, but it really wasn’t anything that would be intimidating in a fight.